American Baptist Exodus

Again, scripture and homosexuality divide a large denomination. The Pacific Southwest is seeing the exodus of hundreds of churches from the American Baptist denomination due to the stance of many on homosexuality.

The conservatives have failed to convince the church to apply church teaching on homosexuality. The ABCUSA officially states that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." But, many of these churches that allow homosexuality in their church have stayed with the denomination, and it's causing a split in the denomination.

Tony Campolo, professer of sociology at Eastern University, which is an affiliate-American Baptist school, says that the break away is unnecessary. Campolo is an ordained pastor in the American Baptist denomination, and he thinks that each church should have the ability to deal with homosexuality in their individual churches. The denomination allows for 'wide diversity' - whatever that means, and Campolo thinks that homosexuality shouldn't be the deciding issue.

While I don't think a homosexual seated in 'my church' would cause me to go to hell, or keep me from serving God, I do think that 'practicing homosexuals' should not be allowed in offices of the church. A practicing homosexual clearly goes against the teachings in the Bible. And, if you are going by the Bible for your teaching in the church, would you not want truth to be forthright in your congregation?

It's all up in the air as to whether a new organization will be formed. But, if a new organization is formed, it's feared that it could include between 1,500 and 2,000 churches. This should tell the denomination something - people want truth in the churches, not hyprocisy!

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